Ring joint



Julie 5, 1928. W. L. EVANS RING JOINT Filed Nov.29, 192s Patented June5, 1 928. i

* UNITED STA WILLIAM LEWIS EVANS, or WASHINGTON, INDIANA.

RING JOINT.

Application filed November 29, 192's.v Serial No. 151,522,

stitutes the subject matterof this 'applica- I tion the aieces to be'oined are lirst cut in a j proper form, and are then placed in theirproper relative positions wlnle a channel or groove 1s cut in such amanner as to form a continuous circular channel whenthe pieces arejoined, the center about which the channel is formed being substantiallyon the line of juncture between the two pieces. A ring is then forcedinto the channel to complete the joint.

The object of the present invention is to provide a. ring of such shapeand size that, when it is forced into the channel, stresses will be setup therein, which will cause the ring to exert a most forceful grippingaction against the inner wall of the channel and hold the jointtightly'together. In,the improvement, which results in this increasedgripping action, I have provided a ring hav ing a number of opposedsubstantially straight portions, which must be sprung outwardly or bowedwhen the ring is forced into position, at the same time spreading theconnecting portions of the ring, and drawing them inwardly toward thecenter.

The specific construction of the invention and the manner in which it isapplied will be more fully explained in connection with the accompanyingdrawing illustrating the same.

In the drawing:

Figure 1 is a rear elevation of a completed joint.

Figure 2 thereof.

Figure 3 is a plan view of a six-sided ring adapted to be used in makingthe oint.

Figures 4 and 5 are rings similar to that shown in Figure 3, but havingdifferent numbers of sides.

Figure 6 shows another form of ring.

The joint, as herein shown and described, is used in connecting twopieces 10, the ends of which are mitered and abut each other along theline 11. In making the joint, the two pieces are placed in the positionin which they are to be joined, and a circular channel 12 is cut in therear face of the pieces, so as to form a boss 13, the center of is acentral transverse section which is substantially on the line 11. A ringis then forced into the channel 12, which ring may be of the form shownin either of Figures 3, 4, 5 and 6; The means used in applying the ringto the joint is preferably that shown and fully described in Patent No.1,617,621, but need not be described. here.

The ring 14, shown in Figures 1, 2 and 3, is substantially hexagonal,but it is pre- TES PATENT OFFICE;

ferred to make the corners somewhat rounded, since they do not placeundue stress on the metal when manufacturing the ring, and

also permit the channel 12 to be made narrower than would otherwise benecessary. The ring is of such size that ts apothem is somewhat lessthan the radius of the boss 13,

so that when applying the ring to the joint, the mid points of the sidesare forced outwardly, so that in the completed joint, they are bowed orslightly arcuate in shape. bowing causes the ends of the sides to bedrawn nearer together,'and as a consequence the corners are drawninwardly and the angles between the sides are spread. Every part of thering, therefore, is placed under tension, and the combined stresses alltend to force the sides of the ring inwardly and to grip the wood moretightly. The sides of the ring thus tend to bite into the wood, and thejoint is held tightly together with very great pressure. While thesix-sided ring is perhaps the preferred form, it may be made with anynumber of sides. The

This Q l ring 15, shown in Figure 4, is five-sided, but

is otherwise the same as the ring 14, and its action is the same. Thering 16 is four sided, and the length of a perpendicular from its centerto one of its sides substantially the same as in the other rings.

If preferred, the ring may be made in the form shown at 17 in Figure 6..This ring has two opposed straight sides, the ends of which areconnected by arcuate portions. In forcing this ring over the boss 13,the mid points of the flat sides are forced outwardly while the arcuateportions are drawn inwardly and spread, thus setting up stresses whichare substantially similar to those set up in the polygonal rings 14, 15and 16.

While I have illustrated a number of different shapes in which the ringsmay be made, it is to be understood that these are only for the purposeof illustration, and

that other forms may be adopted without any material departure from thesalient featuresbf'thednvention 'exp essed in the claims. f i

What is claimed is:

1. A wood joint comprising twoinembers with abutting edges With asubstantially circular channel formed in the faces or the two members,the center about which the channel is formed being satemtiauyon a lineof junctu re between the two elements, and a metallic ring insaidchannel having opposed sides'grippine' the inner edges of thechannel, said oppo l sides being bowed outwardly by the pre ire of thewood against their mid points, so that the per-- tions of the ringjoining said opposed are drawn inii'ardly and spread.

Spre ifng the angle formed thereby."

A ring for .use n making ring joints,

said ring being composed of metal and having at least two opposedapproximately straight sides, the mid points of which may be sprungoutwardly in applying the ring to the joint, so that said sides assumeapproximately an arcuateshap to grip the parts otthe joint betweentiein, and the portions connecting said sides are spread.

4. A ring for use in permanently holding together ring joints, said ringhaving a plurality of approximately straight sides connected by curvedportions, so that when the portions nearest the center are forcedoutwardly, the portions farthest from the cem ter will be drawninwardly. 5. A ring for use in making ring joints, said ring havingapproxin iately. straight sides con'i'iectedyby, curved portions, all oiw iich are outwardly convex, so that when the straight sides are sprungoutwardly the curved portions will be drawn inwardly.

(5 A ring joint comprising abutting neligbers having an annular channelintersected by the abutting edges; and ring initially in the form of aregular hexagon expanded on the cylindricatboss portion produced by saidannular channel; the apothein of said hexagon being less than the radiusof said boss so that the sides will be sprung outwardly andexertgripping pressure on the boss.

In testimony, that I claim the foregoing as my m; I have hereto ailixedmy "signature. i i j WILLIAM LEXVI S-

